Lyndon Johnson: Just Another Guy Lookin’ Out for His Jewels

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Lyndon Baines Johnson

Lyndon Baines Johnson

Texan, Father, School Teacher, Rancher, & Much Maligned 36th President of The United States of America.

I love LBJ, or as Brother Dave Gardner once called him: ‘Daddy Bird’. Johnson was a divisive entity during his one and a half terms as president—primarily due of course to the Vietnam War—which he inherited. Yes, I realize I am gonna get some push back. Favorably mention ‘LBJ’ even today and you best stand by for some unhappy and contentious words.

Young Daddy Bird

Young Daddy Bird

The problem I have, in general, when talking to folks about Johnson is that most are ignorant of the man, his history, his upbringing; his good works: Rural electrification for Texas. Medicare, Civil Rights, The Great Society (never really came to fruition, due to Vietnam) and so on.

Once he became ‘The Accidental President’ he took JFK’s dreams and made them reality. Johnson could do that. Why? Because he was the consummate politician—far more effective than Jack Kennedy. JFK’s dreams were hollow pipes. Johnson made them happen. This is historical fact: For those of you who would care to search it out. For those who don’t really care to do that: Just-Trust-Me on this one, ‘cause I am a Texan, and Texans don’t lie (overmuch).

I have read all of Robert Caro’s books (http://www.robertcaro.com/) on LBJ and I have done my own research, and I have my own memories.

During the Sixty-Four election, my Mom, the original Hippy Chick informed me she was voting for Goldwater.

“Goldwater! Mom! Are you serious?”

“Yes Son. He is right for America.”
“‘Right?!’ Right don’t even come close: just to the right of Attila the Hun.” (Even at that tender age of seven, I was politically astute. Honestly.)

Our country does not produce colorful leaders like LBJ anymore. Much of the blame must be placed on the information revolution and the manifestation of the instant sound bite. I am not bemoaning the Information Age. I would not be able to throw my thoughts so carelessly about to the entire world if it were not for this Internet Thing we all embrace. All I am saying is one must ponder how many potential great leaders are out there, but refuse to step up to the plate simply because they do not wish to have every word they have ever uttered tweeted or twerked or posted or face-booked for all to see. Some things should still be classified as TMI. That is just good manners.

What if JFK had had the internet to deal with? We would all have known of his affair with MM. WWBS? What would Bill ‘Oh Really’ Say? We would have been ass-deep in the Cuban Missile Crisis, but Fox and CNN and even MSNBC would have burned more video on JFK’s infidelity. Castro would have loved it. Just sayin’…

My Step-sister worked for Oliver Stone on the film JFK. She was one of the on-set-dressers. We got into a heated argument over the whole conspiracy thing. She was convinced that LBJ was behind it all. I know quite a lot about LBJ as I have mentioned. I have done my research and I love Texas history.

Anyway I asked her upon what she based her unwavering belief.

She said, “That photograph of Johnson taking the oath of office on Air Force One in Dallas.”

Smug Ladybird?

Smug Ladybird?

“You’re shitting me,” I said.

“Look at that photo and see how smug Ladybird looks in it. You just know then and there, she knew the whole thing.”

“I think I need a drink,” was all I could muster by way of response.

(Oh! And my step-mother worked for Jack Ruby: I know some shit about it)

Just sayin’…

I am not writing here as an apologist for LBJ. My focus is on the wonderful Texan caricature character he was. His humor, his down-to-earth’ed-ness, his vibrant lust for life, his convictions, and his larger-than-worldy-life persona: His ‘Texan-ness’.

Therein lies the rub for me. Johnson could be a buffoon. He could be portrayed as an idiot. He could be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. He would be chastised and eventually ostracized.

But he got shit done!

He was a great, moral, honorable man.

No one will ever convince me otherwise (but you are certainly welcome to try)

Watch and listen to the Video Clip. It proves my point (and it is hysterical). These tapes were released a few years back. I have them all.

https://www.maryferrell.org/pages/LBJ_Phone_Calls.html

Priceless they are (His Family Jewels)

Comments would be appreciated here, no matter which direction you lean.

29 thoughts on “Lyndon Johnson: Just Another Guy Lookin’ Out for His Jewels”

  7. “Cool?” are you serious? Best you can muster?
    I lived in the Eighties… do not wanna re-live them.
    Just sayin’…

  8. I am an arrogant ass…Really.
    But, I do try to bring my ‘readers’ up to my ‘education’ level.
    I ‘reely’ do.
    But, to appreciate Bro Dave, you have to have some edu based upon History.
    Sadly,
    Most don’t .
    Listen to it, when you have time and get back: there is So MUCH there.
    Sigh’ing off….
    -Lancers

  16. Lance,
    I know you don’t realize it, but your words have brought me out of a many a dark hole since we met. You can tell a story and you have one to tell. It is truly my honor for you to accept.

  18. I am honored (and surprised). Not sure how those award things work. Will check it out.
    Thank you, My Good Friend.

  20. It will be interesting to see ow I feel after I have gathered a bit more information!

    Thanks for taking the time to respond 🙂

    ML
    x

  21. The thing about LBJ, folks who have opinions about him have very strong opinions. He was controversial for sure. Thank you for reading. You should be able to find lots of stuff on him. Probably much more than you want. 🙂

  22. Well, now I know who LBJ is – fantastic post rich in history – such a fond assessment of a politician, which is quite rare these days.

    It is a hard job, you can’t please everyone, now I’ve had a taste for knowledge I think I will take a look around and see if I can find some film based on his life and experiences.

    Thanks for sharing

    ML
    x

  23. I am (thankfully) a little too young to remember all the ramifications of LBJ too. However, I was, as I did say, astute. I remember the horror of Vietnam. I remember my ‘older’ friends who escaped. I remember those who did not. I remember too much.
    I loved LBJ. (Still do) He just caught a bad history break. He could have done so much, if but given some chance.
    Thank you, Mad Annie.
    Thank you for reading.

  24. I am a little too young to remember the presidency of LBJ. I have only my parents’ and other older relatives to go by. Of course, according to my grandparents, we haven’t had a decent president since FDR. That said, I have never heard my parents or their generation bash LBJ. As you said, he made JFK’s dreams reality. He led this country in a period of political tenseness most younger Americans don’t really understand. And BOY do I agree with you about today’s media! Smokescreens and BS, and WAY too much info that the common people don’t need, because the common people don’t understand the ramifications of it all.

  27. Well, I don’t mean ta git ye all riled up ‘er nuttin’ but this day took place about’ta 4 years prior to my conception and from the title I figured you was sayin’ LBJ was a nut farmer.
    But’ ta I remembered that was Jimmy Carter an’ he weren’t Texan.
    So, as you can see, I have ‘nuttin’ intelligent to say ’bout it ‘cept it ‘s a wise man who looks ta take care o’ his nuts.

  28. Dear Sarah,
    I must say, as a fellow atheist, I am a quite honored you visit my blog. I will probably get some ‘Will not follow you’ for this response, but, again…Ah! who cares?
    So glad you liked the story of LBJ. I do contend he was probably one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century. Mainly ’cause he was a ‘true depression era’ Texan.
    But, that is just me.
    Thank you so much for actually reading.
    Means a lot to me.
    Cheers,
    –Lance

  29. I remember watching a film a few years ago that reenacted the life of Lyndon B. Johnson, and I loved it. I can’t seem to remember the name of the film off the top of my head, but it might come to me later. Nice entry.

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